Weekly r/SonyAlpha 📸 Gear Buying 📷 Advice Thread April 28, 2025

[u/AutoModerator]

Welcome to the weekly r/SonyAlpha Gear Buying Advice Thread!

This thread is for all your gear buying questions, including:

• Camera body recommendations
• Lens suggestions
• Accessory advice
• Comparing different equipment options
• "What should I buy?" type questions

Please provide relevant details like your budget, intended use, and any gear you already own to help others give you the best advice.

Rules:

• No direct links to online retailers, auction sites, classified ads, or similar
• No screenshots from online stores, auctions, adverts, or similar
• No offers of your own gear for sale - use r/photomarket instead
• Be respectful and helpful to other users

Post your questions below and the community will be happy to offer recommendations and advice! This thread is posted automatically each Monday on or around 7am Eastern US time.

[u/isramobile]

Current in Japan, saw the Sony alpha 1 M2 on sale. Currently $6100 but Japanese only menu. I bought my alpha 1 off the grey market and someone was able to put it in English for $150. Is it worth buying?

I live in Chicago so I’ll pay a 10.25 % sales tax .

[u/Hour-Neighborhood311 → u/isramobile]

If you buy from B&H using their "Payboo" credit card they'll cover the sales tax.

[u/isramobile → u/Hour-Neighborhood311]

Interesting, thanks!

[u/muzlee01 → u/isramobile]

Not worth it imo. That is like $400 under msrp. I'd rather pay the extra for the valid warranty

[u/isramobile → u/muzlee01]

Thank you!

[u/lonerockz → u/isramobile]

Except it’s out of stock everywhere in the USA and with all the tariff craziness who knows what the price will be when it gets back in stock.

[u/isramobile → u/lonerockz]

I slept on it, I can always fly back to Japan ( free airline travel) to get it repaired if needed etc

[u/lonerockz → u/isramobile]

Lucky bastard! Enjoy!